plastics at sea: lost & found...findings (i): a diversity of throw-away objects • items found:...
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Plastics at sea: Lost & FoundNatividad Sánchez, [email protected] 2 December, 2020
What is Oceana?
• Non-profit solely dedicated to ocean conservation
• In Europe since 2003
• Offices in Madrid, Brussels, Copenhagen, London
• We do:• Research
• Policy
• Communications
Surveying plastics in Spanish Mediterranean
• October 2020, off tourist season.
• Coastal area surveyed: Valencia - La Poblade Farnals.
• Divers, underwater drone (-300 m)
Findings (I): A diversity of throw-away objects
• Items found: fishing gear, sanitary products… and especially plastic bags and Single-Use Plastics!
• A dozen marine habitats explored (algae & Posidonia meadows, coralligenous, mud, sandy bottoms…): plastics in all of them.
Findings (II): Plastics impacting on marine habitats and species
Findings (III): Single-Use Plastics everywhere: food containers, cups, bottles
The EU SUP Directivewill ban or set reduction targets forsome of these itemsas from July 2021, but not for others
Lost but not Found: What we did not see
Litter reaches the deep sea via the wind, sewage, rivers…
Message in a bottle: the deep sea is the limit
• Plastic degradation is slower than in shallow waters due to the lack of sunlight, low temperatures and limited erosion
• Removing this debris is often technically and economically unfeasible
-1000 m
- 815 metres
Wildlife is heavily impacted
Proposals (Ia): Create plastic-free zones
Lead by example
Remove SUPs from town hall and venues open to the public. E.g.
• Stop using throw-away cups and bottles
• Reduce wrapping in canteens
Create PFZs in protected areas and beaches
Install water fountains
The best managed waste is the one you don’t need to manage. Reduce and reuse!
Proposals (Ib): Create plastic-free zones
Partner with hotels, restaurants, grocery shops
Remove single-use food containers and cups in bars and restaurants
Promote refillable systems. E.g.
• Beach bars
• Plastic-free events in the open air
Avoid single-portions (seasonings, toiletries)
Curb plastic bags
Favour bulk versus wrapped groceries
Proposals (II): Engage locals and visitors
Raise awareness about the impact of littering. E.g.
• Exhibit photos at the seafront showing damages to wildlife
• Disclose the cost of beach clean-ups
• Design tourist souvenirs that replace SUPs, such as refillable bottles
Prompt action. E.g.
• Ban massive releases of balloons
• Avoid cigarette butts on the beach
@ OceanaEurope
Oceana 2020 seafloorplastics survey. Video:
Photos in this presentation are © OCEANA, © OCEANA / Enrique Talledo, © OCEANA / Karina Erazo, © OCEANA / Natividad Sánchez, © OCEANA / Sophie Jouan